Author: Diane Shipley

Staff Writer Diane is especially interested in high-tech medical advances, weird and interesting uses of science, new gadgets, and the intersection of tech and lifestyle. When not working, she reads the internet, listens to podcasts, watches American TV, and thinks about leaving the house.
Children can improve their handwriting by teaching a robot. Yep.

Teaching skills to robots helps children learn

Researchers from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne have just presented CoWriter, their new robotic teaching system, at the Conference on Human-Robot Interaction in the U.S. The system consists of a 58cm tall humanoid robot model plus specialist software that allows the robot to write words, and for its handwriting to improve over time. It’s…
The long-rumoured iPad Pro is apparently coming in September.

The iPad Pro is rumoured to be coming in September

A larger iPad that the media’s dubbed the iPad Pro has been rumoured since at least 2013, but Bloomberg’s now reporting that it’s definitely going to happen – just not until later this year. They say that problems with the display panel supply have held up production of the device, which could have a screen…
Smartphones should come with a health warning, according to new research.

Should smartphones come with a health warning?

The debate about whether smartphone addiction is real or we just really like our mobiles has taken another twist this week as researchers from the University of Derby claim that smartphones should come with a health warning. As The Guardian reports, they conducted a study into smartphone usage, now published in the International Journal of…
Amanda Palmer has had huge crowdfunding success with a new campaign.

Amanda Palmer’s had another amazing crowdfunding success

In 2012, musician, writer, and artist Amanda Palmer raised a massive $1.2 million (approximately £785,000) on Kickstarter for an album, tour, and book. Now she’s in the middle of another huge crowdfunding success thanks to U.S site Patreon. As the name suggests, rather than being for one-off fundraising efforts, Patreon allows fans to support the…
Marissa Mayer, the CEO of Yahoo, says sexism isn't much of an issue in tech.

Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer says there’s no sexism in tech (hahaha)

Good news for women working in tech: sexism just isn’t much of a problem in your field. Yes, I know, your colleagues are leaving in their droves, studies have repeatedly shown a huge gender imbalance, and when you go to industry shows you’re too often treated like an honorary booth babe (also, there are booth…
Digital textbooks are less appealing to students than the real thing.

Students reject digital textbooks

Digital textbooks are one of the biggest advances in studying of the last decade, but a lot of students are saying 'meh' to them. One of the main advantages of a Kindle, or iPad (or other tablet or e-reader), is that you can carry thousands of books around without adding extra weight to your bag.…
Quell is the first pain relief wearable.

Quell is the world’s first pain relief wearable

American healthcare company NeuroMetrix has invented the first pain relief wearable. Called Quell, it consists of a strap worn around the ankle, with an electrode in the back that’s in direct contact with the skin. When you experience pain, you activate the device, which stimulates nerves in your leg, sending a message to the brain…
Silent Circle's launched a new secure platform for business.

Silent Circle launches Enterprise Privacy Platform for secure business use #MWC15

Today at Mobile World Congress, Silent Circle has announced the launch of the world’s first privacy platform for mobile users aimed at the business market. It’s a system of devices, services, and software based on ZRTP – a cryptographic mobile protocol, built for privacy. (The fact that using it might make you feel a little…